Methods and apparatus for error correction for coordinated wireless base stations

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus for coordinated error correction among a set of wireless base stations in communication with one another. In one embodiment, the wireless base stations are part of a cellular network having various cellular base stations (including a serving base station, and multiple supplemental base stations), and transmit multiple redundant versions of a transport block using a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) based scheme. The aggregate of the multiple redundant versions of the transport block are soft combined and acknowledged (ACK) or not-acknowledged (NACK) by the cellular equipment. The serving base station and supplemental base station devices dynamically configure the bundled acknowledgment operation based on various desired operational attributes relating to the operational parameters of the network.

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of wirelesscommunication and data networks. More particularly, in one exemplaryaspect, the present invention is directed to enhanced methods andapparatus for coordinating cellular base stations using backward errorcorrection.

2. Description of Related Technology

Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) is an exemplaryimplementation of a “third-generation” or “3G” cellular telephonetechnology. The UMTS standard is specified by a collaborative bodyreferred to as the 3^(rd) Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The3GPP has adopted UMTS as a 3G cellular radio system targeted for interalia European markets, in response to requirements set forth by theInternational Telecommunications Union (ITU). The ITU standardizes andregulates international radio and telecommunications. Enhancements toUMTS will support future evolution to fourth generation (4G) technology.

A current topic of interest is the further development of UMTS towards amobile radio communication system optimized for packet data transmissionthrough improved system capacity and spectral efficiency. In the contextof 3GPP, the activities in this regard are summarized under the generalterm “LTE” (for Long Term Evolution). The aim is, among others, toincrease the maximum net transmission rate significantly in the future,namely to speeds on the order of 300 Mbps in the downlink transmissiondirection and 75 Mbps in the uplink transmission direction.

In parallel, further advancements of 3GPP are being investigated withinLTE towards an IMT-Advanced radio interface technology, referred to as“LTE-Advanced” or “LTE-A”. Details regarding scope and objectives of theLTE-Advanced study are described at, inter alia; RP-080137 entitled“Further advancements for E-UTRA (LTE-Advanced)” to NTT DoCoMo et al.,the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. The IMT-Advanced activities have been commenced and are guidedby ITU-R (International Telecommunications Union-Radio CommunicationSector). Key features to be supported by candidate IMT-Advanced systemshave been set by ITU-R and include amongst others: (1) high qualitymobile services; (2) worldwide roaming capability; and (3) peak datarates of one hundred (100) Mbps for high mobility environments, and ofone (1) Gbps for low mobility environments.

The current discussions in 3GPP related to LTE-A are focused on thetechnologies to further evolve LTE in terms of spectral efficiency, celledge throughput, coverage and latency based on the requirements in 3GPPTS 36.913: “Requirements for further advancements for E-UTRA(LTE-Advanced)”, which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. Candidate technologies include (1) multi-hop Relay; (2)downlink network Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) antennatechnologies; (3) support for bandwidths greater than twenty MHz byspectrum aggregation; (4) flexible spectrum usage/spectrum sharing; and(5) Coordinated Multipoint Transmission/Reception (CoMP). These proposedtechnologies are based on the requirements of 3GPP TS 36.814: “Furtheradvancements for E-UTRA—Physical Layer Aspects”, which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety. Backward compatibility with legacyLTE networks is also an important requirement for future LTE-A networks,i.e. an LTE-A network also supports LTE user equipment (UE), and anLTE-A UE can operate in an LTE network.

Coordinated Multipoint Transmission/Reception (CoMP) Operation

The aforementioned Coordinated Multipoint Transmission/Reception (CoMP)is one proposed approach for improving high data rate coverage,cell-edge throughput and or system throughput. FIG. 1 illustrates oneexemplary CoMP deployment scenario 100 of an LTE-Advanced networkcomprising seven (7) cells, each cell is served by an associated basestation 104. As shown in FIG. 1, a UE 102 receives data coverage fromthree (3) cells (Cell 1 104A, Cell 2 104B, and Cell 3 104C) which havebeen “coordinated” to minimize interference with one another. Duringoperation, each one of the coordinated base stations manages control anduser data transmissions with the UE according to a specific coordinatedschedule. Thus, the UE receives control and user data from only one ofthe transmitting cells at any time.

During CoMP operation, the UE 102 maintains a distinct dialog with eachof its coordinated base stations (i.e., both serving 104A, andsupplemental base stations 104B, 104C) for control and data signaling.For example, error correction (such as Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request(HARQ)) is independently managed between each BS and the UE. Theindependent nature of prior art signaling increases appreciably inproportion to the number of concurrent connections. Thus, in theexemplary scenario of FIG. 1, the UE and Radio Access Network mustmaintain three (3) independent HARQ software processes, and theirassociated network resources (e.g., subframes, bandwidth, etc.).

Consequently, improved methods and apparatus are needed to optimize theoverhead associated with multipoint topologies in wireless (e.g.,cellular) networks. Ideally, such improved methods and apparatus shouldminimize the interference between each of the BSs, and improve overallerror correction capabilities of the coordinated cells. Moreover,wireless networks that implement these methods and apparatus maysubstantially improve resource utilization, inter alia, by reducingtransmit power, and error correction latency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention satisfies the foregoing needs by providing, interalia, methods and apparatus for error correction in a system having twoor more coordinated base stations.

In a first aspect of the invention, a method of operating a firstwireless transmitter is disclosed. In one embodiment, the methodincludes: receiving a data stream from a second wireless transmitter;receiving one or more transmission parameters from the second wirelesstransmitter; and transmitting a partial backward error correction datapacket for the data stream, the partial backward error correction datapacket being based at least in part on the one or more transmissionparameters received from the second wireless transmitter. The datastream has not been previously encoded and transmitted from the firstwireless transmitter.

In one variant, the data stream has been encoded at the second wirelesstransmitter, the encoded data stream having been previously transmittedby the second wireless transmitter.

In another variant, the one or more transmission parameters include atransmission schedule.

In yet another variant, the first wireless transmitter is associatedwith a first identifier. The one or more transmission parameters mayinclude one or more identifiers, at least one of the one or moreidentifiers matching the first identifier.

In a further variant, the one or more transmission parameters includes atransmit power.

In another variant, the method further comprises encoding the datastream into the partial backward error correction data packet using aconvolutional encoder.

In still other variants, the partial backward error correction datapacket is self-decodable or alternatively not self-decodable.

In a further variant, the method further comprises receiving anacknowledgement message from the second wireless transmitter.

In a second aspect of the invention, a method of optimizing inter-celloperation within a multi-cell wireless network is disclosed. In oneembodiment, the method includes: transmitting a first one or more datapackets from a first cell; and selectively scheduling at least one othercell for the transmission of subsequent error correction packets, thesubsequent error correction packets comprising redundant informationuseful for the correction of the first one or more data packets. Thetransmitting and selectively scheduling cooperate to substantiallyreduce a transmission power required for the first cell of the network.

In one variant, the method further comprises: responsive to receivingthe first one or more data packets and the subsequent error correctionpackets at a first receiver: decoding the first one or more data packetsand subsequent error correction packets in combination; and transmittinga message to the first cell, where the message indicates success orfailure of the decoding.

In another variant, the method further comprises (if the messageindicates success of the decoding): transmitting a second one or moredata packets from the first cell; and selectively scheduling at leastone other cell for the transmission of subsequent error correctionpackets, the subsequent error correction packets comprising redundantinformation useful for the correction of the second one or more datapackets. If the message indicates failure of the decoding, the methodincludes transmitting a second set of error correction packets from thefirst cell and at least one other cell, the second set of errorcorrection packets comprising redundant information useful for thecorrection of the first one or more data packets.

In yet another variant, the method further comprises determining thereduction in transmission power of the first cell of the network basedat least in part on the subsequent error correction packets of the atleast one other cell.

In a third aspect of the invention, receiver apparatus is disclosed. Inone embodiment, the apparatus includes: a digital processor; a wirelessinterface in data communication with the digital processor; and astorage apparatus having a storage medium with at least one computerprogram stored thereon, the at least one computer program comprising aplurality of computer executable instructions. When executed by thedigital processor, the instructions: receive at least partly corrupteddata from a first transmitter over the wireless interface; receive errorcorrection data from at least one second transmitter over the wirelessinterface; decode the received data in conjunction with the errorcorrection data and transmit an acknowledgement message.

In one variant, the acknowledgment message is directed to the firsttransmitter.

In another variant the acknowledgment message is directed to the secondtransmitter.

In yet another variant, the at least partly corrupted data is identifiedwith a first identifier, the first identifier associated with a datablock. The error correction data may also be identified with the firstidentifier.

In a further variant, the instructions “soft combine” the at leastpartly corrupted data and error correction data, and the acknowledgmentmessage indicates either a successful decoding or an unsuccessfuldecoding.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, receiver apparatus is disclosed. Inone embodiment, the base station apparatus includes: a digitalprocessor; a wireless interface in data communication with theprocessor; a network interface in data communication with the processor,the network interface coupled to at least one other base stationapparatus; and a storage apparatus having a storage medium with at leastone computer program stored thereon. The computer program when executed:generates a first data packet from a transport block; transmits thetransport block via the network interface to the at least one other basestation apparatus the transmitted transport block being configured tocause the at least one other base station apparatus to generate a seconddata packet from the transport block; and transmits the first datapacket via the wireless interface, the first data packet substantiallydiffering from the second data packet.

In one variant, the apparatus further includes instructions that whenexecuted by the digital processor: receive a message delivered via thewireless interface, the message indicating successful or unsuccessfuldecoding of the first data packet and second data packet; and if themessage indicates unsuccessful decoding: generate a third data packetfrom the transport block; notify the at least one other base station ofthe unsuccessful decoding, the notification being adapted to cause theat least one other base station apparatus to generate a fourth datapacket from the transport block; and transmit the third data packet viathe wireless interface, the third data packet substantially differingfrom the fourth data packet.

In another variant, the apparatus further comprise instructions thatwhen executed by the digital processor: generate a transmissionschedule; and transmit the transmission schedule via the networkinterface to the at least one other base station apparatus. The at leastone other base station apparatus may be associated with a firstidentifier, and the transmission schedule indicates a transmission timefor the at least one other base station apparatus associated with thefirst identifier.

Alternatively, the transmission schedule can indicate a transmissionpower for the at least one other base station apparatus associated withthe first identifier.

In a fifth aspect of the invention, a computer readable apparatus isdisclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a storage mediumhaving a computer program disposed thereon, the computer program beingadapted to perform error correction in a system having two or morecoordinated base stations.

In a sixth aspect of the invention, a wireless system is disclosed. Inone embodiment, the system includes a cellular LTE-compliant systemhaving a plurality of coordinated base stations and a plurality ofmobile devices.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will immediatelybe recognized by persons of ordinary skill in the art with reference tothe attached drawings and detailed description of exemplary embodimentsas given below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graphical illustration of one prior art embodiment of aCoordinated Multipoint Transmission/Reception (CoMP) Long Term EvolutionAdvanced (LTE-A) network.

FIG. 2 is a graphical illustration of one embodiment of an LTE networkaccording to the invention, comprising an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), andan Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN).

FIG. 3 is a graphical illustration of an exemplary E-UTRAN architecturecomprising three eNodeBs according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a graphical representation of various prior art duplex methodsincluding full-duplex FDD (frequency division duplexing), half-duplexFDD, and TDD.

FIG. 5 is a graphical representation of resource blocks as representedin time and frequency resources in Orthogonal Frequency DivisionMultiple Access/Time Division Multiple Access (OFDMA/TDMA) schemesaccording to the prior art.

FIG. 6 is a graphical representation of an exemplary frame structuretype for a prior art LTE full-duplex FDD and half-duplex FDD system.

FIG. 7 is a graphical representation of one embodiment of a mapping forlogical channels, transport channels, and physical channel, useful in anLTE network, according to the invention.

FIG. 8 is a graphical representation of the timing relationships of oneembodiment of a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) scheme, useful inan LTE network, according to the invention.

FIG. 9 is a graphical representation of the timing relationships of oneprior art embodiment of an uplink bundled acknowledgment scheme usefulin one implementation of a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ)scheme.

FIG. 10 is a logical flow diagram of one embodiment of the generalizedprocess for bundled acknowledgment operation in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a base station apparatusconfigured in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a mobile deviceapparatus configured in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a graphical representation of the timing relationships of oneembodiment of a downlink bundled acknowledgment scheme according to thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer tolike parts throughout.

Overview

The present invention provides, inter alia, methods and apparatus forcoordinated error correction among a set of wireless (e.g., cellular)base stations communicating with user equipment. In one exemplaryembodiment, LTE and LTE-Advanced Networks channels and transmissiontechniques (e.g., Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ)) are modifiedto improve cellular service near cell boundaries. A set of cellular basestations (including a serving base station, and multiple supplementalbase stations) transmit multiple redundant versions of the same datausing a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) based scheme. Themultiple versions of the same data are “soft-combined” and acknowledged(ACK) or not-acknowledged (NACK) by the user equipment.

Various methods and apparatus for coordinating the base stations aredisclosed. In one implementation, the serving base station configuresand manages a plurality of supplemental base stations. The serving basestation and supplemental base station devices may be configured todynamically configure the bundled acknowledgment operation, based onvarious desired operational attributes which are internallycommunicated. Such operational attributes relate to, for example, orderof transmission, redundancy version of transmission, transmit power,etc. The serving base station may also be configured to consider theradio environment of the mobile device, including such measurableparameters as nearby cell IDs, corresponding signal noise ratios foreach of the nearby cell IDs, etc.

The foregoing methods and apparatus advantageously reduce the transmitpower of each base station, thereby reducing the effects of base stationinduced interference among neighboring base stations, yet withoutsubstantially increasing the likelihood of data corruption. In someembodiments, the lower transmit power is compensated for using othermechanisms, so as to retain equivalent (if not better) receptioncharacteristics.

Moreover, the methods and apparatus of the invention contract or reducethe time necessary for various error correction schemes. Such expeditederror correction contributes to improved system latency and datathroughput.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments of the present invention are now described indetail. In the following discussion, the exemplary wireless system ispresumed to include a network of radio cells each served by atransmitting station, known as a cell site or base station. The radionetwork provides wireless communications service for a plurality oftransceivers (in most cases, but not required to be, mobile). Thenetwork of base stations working in collaboration allows for wirelessservice which is greater than the radio coverage provided by a singleserving base station. The individual base stations are connected byanother network (in many cases a wired network), which includesadditional controllers for resource management, and in some cases accessto other network systems (such as the Internet) or Metropolitan AreaNetworks (MANs).

Notwithstanding, it will be readily appreciated that the principles ofthe present invention may be practiced using other types andconfigurations of cellular network, the foregoing being used merely toillustrate the various aspects of the invention in one exemplarycontext.

Moreover, while discussed throughout in regards to cellular networks, itwill be recognized by those of ordinary skill that the present inventionis not so limited, and may be applied to other types and configurationsof networks, cellular or otherwise. Most saliently, several closelyrelated technologies (e.g., Wi-Fi and WiMAX based networks) may directlybenefit from the present invention within point-multipoint typetopologies.

Furthermore, as discussed previously herein, the coordinated set of basestations includes a first serving base station and multiple supplementalbase stations operating in concert as a coordinated set. In othernetwork topologies, there may not be a distinction between a servingbase station and supplemental base stations, or that individual ones ofthe coordinated set may take turns being the “serving” base station,etc. For example, in one implementation, there is no distinction betweenserving and supplemental base stations; one of the base stations ischosen to transmit the initial data packet, and subsequent base stationsfollow sequentially. This implementation may be useful in SingleFrequency Networks (SFN) (e.g., WiMAX, etc.) or other macro-diversitytype technologies, as well as ad hoc networks (e.g., Wi-Fi, etc.) orlocalized wireless networks. Alternatively, in other implementations,there may be a serving base station, and supplemental base stations,however the role of serving base station is rotated, or dynamicallyassigned.

LTE and LTE-Advanced Networks

FIG. 2 is a high-level diagram of an exemplary LTE cellular radio system200 comprising the E-UTRAN 202 (Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio AccessNetwork) and the Core Network EPC 204 (Evolved Packet Core). The E-UTRANconsists of a number of base stations 206 (such as eNodeBs (eNBs)). Asused herein, the term base station is meant to include any wirelesscommunications station. Such wireless communications stations includemacrocells, femtocells, microcells, picocells, access points, etc. Eachbase station provides radio coverage for one or more mobile radio cells208 within the E-UTRAN. In LTE, each eNB is connected to the EPC via aS1 interface 210. The eNBs directly connect to two EPC entities, the MME(Mobility Management Entity) and the Serving Gateway (S-GW) 212. The MMEis responsible for controlling the mobility of UEs 214 located in thecoverage area of the E-UTRAN. The S-GW handles the transmission of userdata between the UE and the network. As used herein, the terms “userequipment (UE)”, “mobile device”, “client device” and “user device”include but are not limited to laptop or handheld computers, PDAs,personal media devices (PMDs), cellular telephones, smart phones, or anycombinations of the foregoing. Moreover, it is appreciated that a singledevice may have one or more combinations of UE and base stationfunctionality.

In E-UTRAN, the eNodeBs 206 control the majority of RNC (Radio NetworkControl) functionality, and are generally more “intelligent” than legacybase stations (i.e., the UMTS NodeBs of a UTRAN system). FIG. 3 shows adetailed view of an exemplary E-UTRAN architecture, comprising three (3)eNodeBs (eNB). In LTE, eNodeBs are interconnected with each other bymeans of the X2 interface 302 of the type well known in the cellulararts. Furthermore, eNodeBs are connected by means of the S1 interface210 to the Evolved Packet Core (EPC). The S1 interface (as defined by3GPP) supports a “many-to-many” relation between the EPC and eNodeB.Theoretically, different operators may simultaneously operate the sameeNodeB.

Base stations (BSs) transmit control and user data to User Equipment(UP) over an air interface (i.e., a radio interface). The LTE RadioAccess Technology (RAT) specifies downlink radio transmissions (i.e., BSto UE) based on OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) incombination with TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access). OFDMA/TDMA is amulticarrier, multiple user access method which provides each subscribera number of subcarriers in the frequency domain for a definedtransmission time. The uplink direction (i.e., UE to BS) is based onSC-FDMA (Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access)/TDMA.

The LTE RAT supports various duplexing modes. As shown in FIG. 4, LTEsupports: full-duplex FDD 410 (Frequency Division Duplex), half-duplexFDD 420 and TDD 430 (Time Division Duplex). Full-duplex FDD uses twoseparate frequency bands for uplink 404 and downlink 402 transmissions,and both transmissions can occur simultaneously. Half-duplex FDD alsouses two separate frequency bands for uplink 404 and downlink 402transmissions, but both transmissions are non-overlapping in time. TDDuses the same frequency band for transmission in both uplink 404 anddownlink 402. For TDD, the direction of transmission is switched betweenuplink and downlink within a given time frame.

FIG. 5 illustrates one exemplary time-frequency representation of an LTERadio Access Technology (RAT) 500. In the frequency-domain, theavailable spectrum is separated into so-called “Resource Blocks” (RB)502. A RB in this implementation is 180 kHz and consists of twelve (12)subcarriers. The time-domain is separated into radio frames of length 10ms. Each radio frame consists of 20 (twenty) time slots of length 0.5ms, numbered from 0 to 19. A subframe is two consecutive time slots. So,for example, for full-duplex FDD, 10 (ten) subframes are available fordownlink transmission and 10 (ten) subframes are available for uplinktransmission in each 10 ms interval. A physical channel 504 is definedas a pair of RBs during one subframe (e.g. RB 5 during time slot 6-7).

The flexibility of OFDMA/TDMA enables LTE to support varying bandwidthsof 1.4 MHz, 3 MHz, 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz, and 20 MHz. Multiple discretesections of bandwidth may also be aggregated to form a larger bandwidth.For example, twenty-five (25) RBs can support a 5 MHz band, and 100 RBscan support a 20 MHz band. These two bands could be used together toform a 25 MHz aggregate bandwidth.

LTE networks utilize a standard frame structure type 1 (one) (as shownin FIG. 6) which is used in both full-duplex and half-duplex FDD. Eachradio frame 600 is ten (10) ms duration, and consists of twenty (20)slots 602 in 0.5 ms length intervals, numbered from 0 to 19. A subframe604 is defined as two (2) consecutive slots. For FDD, ten (10) subframesare available for downlink 402 transmission and ten (10) subframes areavailable for uplink 404 transmissions in each ten (10) ms interval.Uplink and downlink transmissions are separated in the frequency domain.Depending on the slot format, a subframe consists of fourteen (14) ortwelve (12) OFDMA symbols in downlink, and fourteen (14) or twelve (12)SC-FDMA symbols in uplink, respectively. Details of frame structure andtiming are described in 3GPP TS 36.211 entitled “E-UTRA—Physicalchannels and modulation”, which is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

LTE and LTE-Advanced Physical Channels

Extant LTE standards have specified a number of uplink and downlinkphysical channels for full-duplex and half-duplex FDD operation.Physical channels refer to the physical radio “channels” which carrylogical control and traffic information. Logical channels are mappedonto physical channels via transport channels. A logical channel is usedfor transmitting different types of information between peer entitieswithin the UE and the BS, and a transport channel refers how and withwhat characteristics the information is transferred over the physicalchannel. FIG. 7 provides a graphical representation 700 of a mapping forlogical channels, transport channels and physical channels used withinLTE.

The uplink physical channels include: the Physical Uplink Shared Channel(PUSCH) 702, the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) 704, and thePhysical Random Access Channel (PRACH) 706. The PUSCH is primarily usedfor uplink user and control data and encapsulates several logicalchannels. The PUCCH is only used within the physical layer, and has nological channels. The PUCCH carries physical channel control informationsuch as HARQ ACK/NACKs (see the discussion presented subsequently hereinrelating to “Prior Art Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ)”),scheduling requests, and Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) reports.

The downlink physical channels include: the Physical Downlink SharedChannel (PDSCH) 708, the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) 710,the Physical Multicast Channel (PMCH) 712, and the Physical BroadcastChannel (PBCH) 714. The Physical Control Format Indicator Channel(PCFICH) and the Physical HARQ Indicator Channel (PHICH) are not shownin FIG. 7, but are also physical channels used within LTE. The PDSCH isprimarily used for downlink user, control data and paging messages.Similar to the PUCCH, the PDCCH does not have any associated logicalchannels. The PDCCH carries physical control information such asresource assignments, HARQ information, etc. The PBCH is used tobroadcast system information, such as downlink bandwidth information,etc.

The PDSCH 708 occupies any OFDMA symbols in a subframe not occupied bythe other physical channels (e.g., the PDCCH, PCFICH, etc.).Furthermore, the PDCCH 710 may occupy one (1), two (2), three (3) orfour (4) OFDMA symbols in the first slot of a subframe. The number ofsymbols used for PDCCH is constantly adjusted by the network andsignaled on the PCFICH.

The PCFICH is a downlink physical channel used for identifying (to theUE) the number of OFDMA symbols used for the PDCCHs. The PCFICH occupiesthe first OFDMA symbol in the first slot in a subframe. The PCFICH isonly transmitted when the number of OFDMA symbols for PDCCH is greaterthan zero.

The PHICH is a downlink physical channel for signaling HARQ ACK/NACKs inresponse to uplink transmissions. The PHICH occupies one (1), two (2),or three (3) OFDMA symbols in the first slot in a subframe. The numberof symbols is adjusted by network and signaled on the PBCH.

FIG. 8 illustrates the exemplary uplink/downlink transmission timingdiagram 800 for timing relationships between the aforementioned physicalchannels, as used in LTE full-duplex FDD operation. A base station 206and a UE 214 have some small difference in time, as represented by theshifted time base. In this example, the base station transmits a firstPDCCH 710 indicating the UE a downlink data transmission on subsequentPDSCH 708 (e.g., a logical request) at subframe #i. The base stationalso transmits a second PDCCH (carrying Downlink Control Information(DCI) format zero (0), for uplink grant) at subframe #i+1 to grant theUE uplink access on PUSCH.

The UE detects the first PDCCH 710 transmission, and determines that itshould decode and respond to the subsequent PDSCH 708. The UE transmitsits response to the PDSCH 708 with a PUCCH 704 (e.g., an ACK/NACK) atits subframe #i+4. The UE responds with a PUSCH 702 (e.g., a logicalresponse) at subframe #i+5 according to the second PDCCH.

Prior Art Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ)

In prior art LTE network operation, the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request(HARQ) mechanism is a method for so-called “backward error correction”.HARQ is used in both uplink and downlink directions, and in both fullFrequency Division Duplex (FDD) and half duplex FDD operation. As iswell known, backward error correction schemes (e.g., HARQ, ARQ, etc.)balance the trade-offs between code rate and error correction.

During HARQ operation each transmission of data (control or user data inuplink and downlink) in a transport block within a subframe ispositively (ACK) or negatively acknowledged (NACK) by the receiver.Within 3GPP, the “transport block” is a data structure generated in theMAC (Medium Access Control) sub-layer. The transport block representsthe information bits to be transmitted. In the physical layer, thetransport block is coded into a data packet for transmission, where thedata packet has additional code redundancy and error correctioncapabilities. If a transport block has been successfully decoded fromreceived data packets, the sender may send a new transport block in thenext related subframe. If a transport block has not been successfullydecoded, the sender will re-code the payload of the transport block(potentially with alternate redundancy, code rates, etc.), andre-transmit the new data packet in the next related subframe. Corrupteddata packets are stored at the receiver. Initial and subsequenttransmissions are soft-combined and jointly decoded by the receiver.With each HARQ re-transmission, additional redundancy informationgreatly improves the chances of successful channel decoding, however,the overall code rate is decreased.

Within the communications arts, certain techniques (such as HARQ) use“combining” for the decoding of multiple transmissions. There are twotypes of combining, (i) hard combining and (ii) soft combining. In ahard combining approach, each bit is assigned a “hard” value (i.e.,either a one (1) or a zero (0)). Hard combining is performed after thetransmissions have been quantized to bits. In contrast, a soft combiningapproach assigns each bit a value and a certainty. Thus, a soft decodermay be very confident, confident, not confident, very not confident,etc. for each bit (typically signified with a value e.g., a valueselected from [127 . . . −127]). Soft combining uses the certainty ofeach bit as a “weighting” function for the value of each bit duringdecoding. Moreover, when used in combining multiple transmissions, softcombining accumulates certainty information for each bit, therebyfurther improving the probability of success.

Current standards for LTE HARQ specify a fixed time interval betweendata transmission and acknowledgements, and between acknowledgements andre-transmissions. Normal LTE HARQ operation in uplink and downlink is an8-channel Stop & Wait ARQ mechanism. Each HARQ “sub channel” correspondsto a single subframe transmission. Each subchannel is referred to as a“HARQ process”. The receiver must acknowledge a received subframe #i insubframe #i+4 (i.e. four subframes later). Considering the HARQoperation in uplink, after an uplink transmission in subframe #i, theeNodeB is expected to acknowledge the uplink data reception in subframe#i+4. For unsuccessful transmissions, the UE is expected to re-transmitthe data in subframe #i+8; for successful transmissions, the UE isexpected to transmit the next transport block in subframe #i+8. Thus,there are only eight (8) possible HARQ processes (#i, #i+1, #i+2 #i+7).

The aforementioned timing requirements are required in both full-duplexand half-duplex operation. Consequently, LTE half duplex operation mustalso ensure that transmissions in the uplink and downlink are switched,such that for each transmission the related acknowledgements andre-transmissions can comply with the fixed time relationships.

In the exemplary LTE networks, HARQ re-transmissions are categorized asusing either (i) chase combining, or (ii) incremental redundancyre-transmissions. Chase combining re-transmissions are individuallydecodable, and are identical to the initial transmission (i.e., there-transmitted data contains the same information and redundancy as theinitial transmission).

Alternatively, incremental redundancy re-transmissions provide differentredundancy bits compared to the initial transmission, and may or may notbe individually decodable. Incremental redundancy re-transmissions whichare individually decodable contain the same information as the initialtransmission, whereas incremental redundancy re-transmissions which arenot-individually decodable only contain new redundancy bits (i.e., theyaugment or supplement the initial transmission, but do not contain theoriginal information).

Cell Edge Efficiency

Referring back to FIG. 1, the aforementioned Coordinated MultipointTransmission/Reception (CoMP) 100 approach manages coordinated basestations 104 for servicing the UE 102. As shown in FIG. 1, the UEretains distinct connections to each of the base stations. However, ascan be appreciated, the coverage of the UE at the cell boundary issignificantly attenuated for each of its connections. Furthermore, thereduced effective code rate of HARQ operation (and backward errorcorrection in general), and multiple re-transmissions due to poor signalquality, are further exacerbated by the multiple connections to each ofthe coordinated base stations. Accordingly, improvements to cell edgeefficiency for HARQ operation, especially within CoMP scenarios, aregreatly desired.

Various approaches to improving service via base station operation nearcell edge boundaries are evidenced in the prior art. For example, in thepreviously mentioned typical LTE FDD mode, there are eight (8) HARQprocesses in the uplink for HARQ operation; however, a special “TTIbundling” feature is used to improve the uplink coverage for VoIP (Voiceover IP) traffic. TTI (Transmission Time Interval) bundling addressesthe low uplink budget at cell edges. Normal UE operation is limited toone millisecond (1 ms) subframe durations, and a maximum transmit powerof 23 dBm (approximately 0.2 Watts). The TTI bundling feature transmitsVoIP packets over a larger time span, thereby increasing the receivedenergy at the receiver.

FIG. 9 illustrates one prior art TTI bundling transaction. TTI bundlingoperation is enabled and disabled by the eNodeB 206 over RRC (RadioResource Control) signaling. During TTI bundling, all uplinktransmissions from the UE 214 using PUSCH 702 are “bundled” in a set offour (4) consecutive uplink subframes. Each transport block is coded andtransmitted in the set of bundled subframes (i.e. all four (4) subframescontain the same information bits but with different redundancyversions). The receiver at eNodeB soft-combines and jointly decodes theTTI bundle (i.e., the four (4) subframes). A HARQ ACK/NACK 902 of thebundle is sent in response to the last subframe of the bundle (i.e., ifthe last subframe in a bundle is subframe #i, then the ACK/NACK istransmitted in subframe #i+4).

TTI bundling is designed to operate within existing LTE HARQ operation;accordingly, TTI bundling has fixed parameters. For example, the sameHARQ process number is used in each of the bundled subframes (unlikenormal HARQ which uses a separate HARQ process number for eachsubframe). Each bundle is treated as a single resource, i.e. a singlegrant for resource allocation, and a single HARQ acknowledgement is usedfor each bundle. Re-transmissions of a TTI bundle are also a TTI bundle.Lastly, the timing relationships between the last subframe in the bundleand the transmission of the HARQ acknowledgement are identical to normaloperation.

In another such example, UMTS W-CDMA FDD (and other CDMA standards)implements “soft handover” procedures near cell boundaries. Softhandover may more generally be referred to as macro-diversitytransmission. In soft handover, the UE has radio links to more than onecell. In UMTS W-CDMA FDD implementations, soft handover is only appliedfor intra-frequency cells (i.e., cells operating in the same frequencyband), and the UE is required to support a maximum of six (6) distinctradio links.

During soft handover, the downlink channels transmit the same user dataover all radio links to the UE. In uplink, the user data is decoded ineach involved cell/NodeB. The decoded uplink data is delivered to thenetwork controller for combining. The UE and the network maintain anActive Set (AS) of radio links simultaneously involved in thecommunication between the UE and the network. Based on measurementsprovided by the UE, the network may dynamically add, replace, or removecells in the AS. Ideally, the AS contains the strongest cells, i.e. thecells with the best signal quality.

One advantage of a soft handover is that the link quality between theNodeB and UE can be significantly improved. However, radio resourcesfrom multiple cells are required, and additional downlink interferenceis created in multiple cells. Further, in a prior art soft handover,HARQ is performed in both uplink and downlink, but no bundling of HARQprocesses is used.

Bundled Acknowledgment

Despite the foregoing, the prior art fails to provide adequate solutionsfor simultaneously servicing a UE from multiple coordinated BSs, andefficiently utilizing spectral resources. In one aspect of the presentinvention, improved methods and apparatus are disclosed for “bundling”backward error correction to address the foregoing problems.

Specifically, in one embodiment, the serving base station of thecoordinated base stations (shown in FIG. 1) supplements its coveragewith supplemental base stations, where each supplemental base stationprovides re-transmission capability. However, in this model, the servingbase station still retains control of acknowledgments.

In another embodiment, acknowledgement signaling for a group ofcoordinated base stations is bundled together. Moreover, any arbitrarynumber of consecutive subframes may be bundled together, of which eachones of the coordinated cells is allocated only a fraction of the totalsubframes. Coordination and signaling for the improved management ofsupplemental base stations and UEs may also be employed.

Advantageously, implementation of certain aspects of the presentinvention will enable each base station of the coordinated set to, interalia, reduce their necessary transmit power, thereby minimizinginterference with their neighboring base stations (also generallyreferred to as Inter-Cell Interference (ICI)). In prior artimplementations, the transmission power of the serving base station'sinitial transmission is calibrated to reduce the number ofre-transmissions. In contrast, in one exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, the serving base station and supplemental basestations each transmit a different redundancy of the same data block.The re-transmission is not triggered unless the soft combination of theaggregate redundancy of all coordinated base stations is unsuccessfullydecoded. Thus, the transmission power of all of the base stations may becalibrated to reduce the number of re-transmissions. By reducing thetransmission power of each base station, overall spectral efficiency ofthe Radio Access Network (RAN) is greatly improved.

Moreover, implementation of certain aspects of the present invention mayalso greatly contract the overall time for acknowledgement andsuccessful decoding of transport blocks. In prior art implementations,the UE receives a single data packet, and based on the successful orunsuccessful decoding of the transport block, the UE transmits anacknowledgment. Furthermore, the UE acknowledgment is scheduled at afixed time, regardless of the speed of the decoding (for example, evenif the UE immediately decoded the transport block, the acknowledgment isscheduled at a much later subframe). In contrast, in one exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, the UE receives two or more datapackets having redundant versions of the same transport block before itis scheduled to transmit its acknowledgment. Accordingly, the UE has amuch higher chance of correctly decoding the transport block, therebyminimizing subsequent re-transmissions. In another variant, the numberof redundant versions transmitted to the UE may be dynamically added,replaced, or removed so as to improve overall network operation. Forexample, a coordinated set of a first serving base station, and second,third, and fourth supplemental base stations, may adjust theacknowledgment schedule with the UE, so as to contract response times.

Methods

Referring now to FIG. 10, one embodiment of the generalized method 1000for sharing acknowledgments between coordinated base stations accordingto the invention is described. It will be recognized that while severalof the embodiments presented herein are described within the context ofcellular networks, other types of networks are contemplated consistentwith the invention (e.g., ad hoc networking, wireless local areanetworking, etc.) as previously noted. In fact, virtually anypoint-multipoint type topology may readily use and benefit from one ormore aspects of the disclosed invention.

Moreover, in the context of the following discussion, an acknowledgmentmessage acknowledges the decoding status of a transport block. Positiveacknowledgements or ACKs are used to indicate successful decoding(either with a single data packet, or cumulative data packets) of atransport block. Negative acknowledgments or NACKs, are used to indicateunsuccessful decoding of a transport block (either alone, orcumulatively). Currently, LTE HARQ does not provide missingacknowledgement (or non-acknowledgement messages); however, it isappreciated that in other technologies, such a non-acknowledgementmessage maybe utilized consistent with the present invention.

At step 1002 of the method 1000 of FIG. 10, the coordinated set of basestations initiates a bundled acknowledgment coordination mode. In oneembodiment, the bundled acknowledgment coordination mode is initiatedupon the occurrence of one or more trigger events (such as e.g.,pre-defined events, monitored by the base station or mobile device,which are indicative of an opportunity to optimize or simply modify thecurrent transceiver operation). In one such variant, the switch betweennormal operation and the aforementioned bundled acknowledgment operationis triggered within the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer softwarerunning at the BS (UTRAN, E-UTRAN). The RRC layer controls radioconnection, disconnection, and system information broadcasts. It isappreciated that the trigger could be implemented elsewhere within thenetwork. The trigger event comprises, for example, changes in signalquality values (e.g., rising or falling of Channel Quality Indicator(CQI), Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR), Bit Error Rate (BER), etc.).

In another embodiment, the trigger event(s) comprise RRC mode changes inorder to support a differing quality of service (QoS). For instance, thetrigger event might occur if the RRC determines that the peak data raterequired by the UE cannot be provided at a cell boundary with currentconnection capability; a trigger event (in the form of e.g., a signalmessage) will tell the RRC and or the UE that a higher quality ofservice mode (such as the aforementioned bundled acknowledgmentoperation) is needed.

In yet another embodiment, the bundled acknowledgment coordination modeis initiated by request. For example, the request can be initiated by ahigh-level software application, in anticipation of increasingrequirements for coverage; e.g., a VoIP software application thatdetermines that current or future requirements for robust voice deliverymandate improved connection quality. Such a request for connectionimprovement may cause an otherwise normally operating mobile device toenable “bundled acknowledgment” operation.

In another instance, a high level network entity (e.g., networkcontroller or supervisory process) may determine that the currentspectral resource utilization for supporting a mobile device from afirst base station within a cell boundary causes excessive inter-cellinterference with nearby base stations. Accordingly, the network entitymay dictate bundled acknowledgment operation for a set of base stations,thereby causing the initiation of a coordinated set (and reducing theICI).

At step 1004 of the method 1000, the coordinated set of base stations isassigned a schedule and a data block (e.g., transport block) fortransmission. In one embodiment, the schedule is determined by a singlebase station. The single base station or the “serving” base stationmanages a number of other base stations (the “supplemental” basestations). In one variant of this approach, the serving base stationdetermines a schedule that identifies a transmit time for each one ofthe coordinated base stations. The transport block for transmission isdistributed from the serving base station, to certain ones of thecoordinated set. The schedule can be derived in any number of ways, suchas e.g., based on analysis by an optimization engine (e.g., softwareprocess). The optimization engine may consider for example networkactivity, radio reception, current usage of the members of thecoordinated set, mobile device capabilities, business methods, etc., andmay dynamically assign add, replace, or remove members from thecoordinated set. Furthermore, the optimization engine may lengthen orshorten the transmission schedule, increase or decrease transmissionparameters, etc. It will be appreciated that radio networks may changeon a regular or irregular basis; thus, the optimization engine may berun only in response to corresponding changes if desired or,alternatively, may be run continuously.

The optimization engine may additionally exchange information withneighboring base stations or the mobile device, to quickly ascertainoptimal conditions. For example, the serving base station may receive alisting of Cell IDs from a mobile device. The serving base station mayquery each of the corresponding base stations for inclusion to, orexclusion from, the coordinated set.

In one variant, the schedule is exchanged within the coordinated set.Upon determining an appropriate schedule, the serving base station maydistribute the schedule among the members of the coordinated set. In oneexemplary LTE implementation, the schedule is transmitted via directlyfrom the serving eNB to each of the supplemental eNBs via the X2interface. It will be appreciated, however, that other communicationslinks may be used for this purpose.

In yet another variant, the schedule does not include the entirety ofthe coordinated set. A subset of the supplemental base stations may beincluded within the schedule; however, in certain scenarios, at least aportion of the base stations may be held back. For example, a mobiledevice having relatively strong signal quality may only need a portionof the coordinated set for signal reception; the serving base stationmay desire to hold the other non-used members of the coordinated set on“alert” for possible use at a later time (e.g., the mobile deviceexperiences a change in its radio environment, future heavy utilizationof one of the currently used coordinated set, etc.).

In one implementation, the foregoing transmission schedule issubstantially symmetric, and each base station of the coordinated set isallocated a prescribed number (e.g., one) of subframes. For example, ifthe coordinated set of base stations comprises a set of L members, thenthe schedule may comprise L subsequent subframes, each allocated to acorresponding member. In other variants, a coordinated set of basestations may have a number of the members unused, but retain the timereservation. Thus, for L members (e.g., four (4)), the schedule maystill be L subframes, split among the used members of the coordinatedset (e.g., the serving base station has subframe #i, #i+2; and onesupplemental base station has subframes #i+1, #i+3; the other two (2)supplemental base stations are suspended). Similarly, in one alternateembodiment, the schedule may be asymmetrically assigned to members.(e.g., the serving base station has subframe #i, #i+2; and a firstsupplemental base station has subframe #i+1, and a second supplementalbase station has subframe #i+3).

Moreover, the schedule may be statically assigned. Such embodiments maybe useful to conserve processing power and coordination burdens of theserving base station, and may be particularly useful is relativelylimited capability devices (e.g., femtocells, Wi-Fi APs, etc.).Alternatively, in some higher complexity embodiments, the schedule maybe dynamically determined; e.g., the schedule is determined by theserving base station once, and then periodically or semi-periodicallyre-evaluated, etc.

The schedule can be provided to the mobile device in any number ofdifferent ways; e.g., by messaging. In one such variant, the schedulecomprises a listing of cell IDs, and an appropriate subframe.Alternatively, the schedule is transparent to the mobile device; i.e.,the mobile is unaware of the transmission schedule. Such an embodimentmay be particularly useful in single frequency networks (e.g., WiMAX),where the mobile device is not aware of individual cell IDs.

The aforementioned transmission schedule additionally may compriseparameters such as: (i) the number of bundled acknowledgement messages,(ii) the cell IDs of the used members of the coordinated set, (iii) thetransmission sequence of the coordinated set, (iv) a redundancy version(or a seed used to determine a redundancy version), (v) an initial framenumber for starting bundling operation, (vi) one or more informationdata blocks to be transmitted, and/or (vii) transmit power. Theforegoing parameters are merely illustrative, and not intended as acomprehensive listing of all possibilities.

At step 1006 of the method 1000, each one of the coordinated set of basestations transmits one or more data packets according to the schedule.In one embodiment, the base station converts an initial transport blockinto a data packet, where the data packet has additional code redundancyand error correction capabilities; such aggregated informationtransmitted is hence “self-decodable”. In an alternative implementation,the base station derives error correction information from the transportblock, and transmits only the error correction information; suchnon-aggregated information augments an initial transmission, and is notself-decodable.

The error correction capabilities of a receiver can be used by thatreceiver to correct corruptions in the data block. In one variant, theerror correction capabilities comprise any one of a convolutional code(e.g., turbo code, Viterbi code), or parity code (e.g., low densityparity check (LDPC), etc.). Alternatively, the error correctioncapabilities can be used by a receiver to identify corruptions in thedata block. In one such variant, the error correction capabilitiescomprise any one of a cyclic redundancy check (CRC), checksum, etc. Itis appreciated that various combinations of the foregoing errorcorrection capabilities (corrective, indicative) may be used consistentwith the invention.

In one embodiment, each of the base stations transmits the one or moreelements of the data at a substantially lower power level when comparedto other transmissions. In one such implementation, each of the basestations reduces their transmit power by a fixed fraction (e.g., ½, ⅓,etc.). Alternatively, each of the supplemental base stations may receivea power level assigned by the serving base station. In one such variant,a supplemental base station having better reception than others may beinstructed by the serving base station (or another supplemental basestation acting as a proxy) to increase its transmit powerproportionately. Similarly, a supplemental base station having worsereception may be instructed to decrease or completely discontinuetransmission.

Other network parameters or considerations may also be used by theserving base station in determining transmit power schemes. For example,a supplemental base station having better reception may actually reduceits transmit power, thereby improving overall network resourceutilization (i.e., it can tolerate more interference, and hence can haveits transmit power reduced). Similarly, a supplemental base stationwhich is near areas of heavy network utilization, may have its transmitpower reduced rather than contribute to the already crowded radioenvironment. Other such considerations will be apparent to the skilledartisan when provided the present disclosure.

In one embodiment, one or more of the coordinated set of base stationstransmits the one or more elements of the data according to a sequentialtime order. The sequence of base station transmission is determined by,e.g., a previously assigned schedule.

One or more of the base stations may also transmit without requiring anacknowledgement message from the mobile device. For example, the servingbase station may transmit a data packet, which will be combined withsupplemental data packet. Accordingly, the serving base station expectsto receive an acknowledgment resulting from the combination of multipledata packets. Each supplemental base station can transmit a data packetwithout direct acknowledgment from the target mobile device (i.e., eachsupplemental base station receives the acknowledgment from the servingbase station).

In another embodiment, each of the transmission elements is configuredso as to have a shared identification. The shared identification mayinclude for example a HARQ process. Other types of shared identificationmay include process identifiers, user identifiers, service identifiers,media stream identifiers, etc.

The aforementioned transmissions may also comprise re-transmission of apreviously transmitted data block. In one variant, the re-transmissionis transmitted from each coordinated base station with a differentredundancy version. The supplemental base station re-transmissions mayalso be transmitted without requiring an acknowledgment of previoustransmissions.

At step 1008 of the method 1000, the mobile device receives bundledtransmissions of one or more data blocks. In one implementation, themobile device receives several transmissions of the same data block. Inone such variant, the transport blocks have been coded with differentredundancy versions for each data packet. Alternatively, the receiveddata packets are identical. As yet another option, the received datapackets comprise a first self-decodable data packet, and severalaugmenting data packets of the type previously described herein.

The mobile device buffers the bundled transmissions and soft combinesand decodes them using mechanisms known to those of ordinary skill inthe digital communications arts. In one embodiment, the entirety of thebundled transmission is buffered, and internal error correctioncapabilities of the received blocks can be used by a receiver to correctcorruptions. The error correction capabilities comprise any one of wellknown techniques such as a trellis code (e.g., turbo code, Viterbicode), or parity code (e.g., low density parity check (LDPC), etc.). Inalternate embodiments, the error correction capabilities indicatecorruption of the data block, and comprise any one of a cyclicredundancy check (CRC), checksum, etc. As previously noted, variouscombinations of the foregoing error correction capabilities (corrective,indicative) may be used consistent with the invention.

At step 1010, the mobile device transmits an acknowledgment message tothe coordinated set. In one embodiment of the invention, the mobiledevice provides a positive or negative acknowledgment. For example, inthe content of an LTE UE, the UE provides a HARQ ACK or NACK, based onthe results of its decoding of the bundled HARQ transmissions.

In alternate configurations, the mobile device indicates a missingtransmission or non-acknowledgement. Unlike a negative acknowledgmentwhich indicates a received corrupted packet, a missing transmission ornon-acknowledgement indicates that the UE is no longer receivingtransmissions from the corresponding BS (e.g., out of range, loss ofreception, etc.). Accordingly, the identification of missingtransmission or non-acknowledgment may be used by the serving basestation to responsively, “prune” undesirable base stations from thecoordinated set. The acknowledgement message may also compriseadditional decoding result information for process optimization. Forexample, the mobile device may provide a channel quality indication,whereby the serving base station may responsively add, replace, and/orremove base stations of the coordinated set, to effectively increase ordecrease signal receptivity. In one such case, a mobile device receivingtoo little signal strength may require a larger coordinated set, orperhaps more transmit power from the existing coordinated setConversely, a mobile device receiving too much signal strength may beserviced more efficiently with a smaller coordinated set, and/or lesstransmit power. In one variant, the aforementioned acknowledgmentmessage comprises an itemized power calculation for each one of thecoordinated set of base stations. Such itemization may be further usedby the serving base station's optimization engine, to further improvenetwork utilization and robustness.

The acknowledgment message is received by the serving base station, andrepeated to each of the coordinated set, via intra-base stationcommunication. Alternatively, the acknowledgment is sent to asupplemental base station, and repeated to each of the coordinated set,including the serving base station.

The aforementioned acknowledgment message can be sent at a specifiedtime instance if desired. In one exemplary variant, the acknowledgmentis sent at an appropriate HARQ process time interval. In other variants,the acknowledgment is sent at a scheduled subframe (i.e., notnecessarily at a HARQ process interval). Yet other options will berecognized by those of ordinary skill given the present disclosure.

In one embodiment, a negative acknowledgment (HACK) triggers are-transmission of the data block (see step 1006), and a positiveacknowledgment (ACK) triggers a transmission of a new data block (seestep 1010). Optionally, the coordinated set may continuously monitor theimmediate radio surroundings to dynamically change its settings (step1002 of FIG. 10). For example, a supplemental base station may at alater point determine that it should assume serving base stationproperties (e.g., as may be useful for handoff), or vice versa. Inanother example, if the quality of service of an established callbetween the ones of the coordinated set and the mobile device degrades,then the serving base station may autonomously reselect one of thepreviously suspended base stations for correcting the degradation.Alternatively, the existing base station may request a list of nearbycell IDs from the mobile device, to best determine another base stationto add.

Such monitoring may include for example detection of activity changes toneighboring active base stations, changes to detected network load,statistics related to time of operation of neighboring cells, and orchanges to one or more characteristics of the detected spectrum,expected time of operation of the cell under consideration, changes toone or more capabilities of the coordinated set, changes to operatoraccount information, changes to the current location, cell ID, etc.

Exemplary Serving Base Station Apparatus

Referring now to FIG. 11, one embodiment of base station apparatus 1100implementing the present invention is illustrated. The base stationapparatus 1100 comprises one or more substrate(s) 1108 that furtherinclude a plurality of integrated circuits including a processingsubsystem 1105 such as a digital signal processor (DSP), microprocessor,gate array, or plurality of processing components as well as a powermanagement subsystem 1106 that provides power to the base station 1100.As used herein, the term “integrated circuit (IC)” refers to any type ofdevice having any level of integration (including without limitationULSI, VLSI, and LSI) and irrespective of process or base materials(including, without limitation Si, SiGe, CMOS and GaAs). ICs mayinclude, for example, memory devices (e.g., DRAM, SRAM, DDRAM,EEPROM/Flash, and ROM), digital processors, SoC devices, FPGAs, ASICs,ADCs, DACs, transceivers, memory controllers, and other devices, as wellas any combinations thereof.

The processing subsystem 1105 may comprise a plurality of processors (ormulti-core processor(s)). As used herein, the term “processor” is meantgenerally to include all types of digital processing devices including,without limitation, digital signal processors (DSPs), reducedinstruction set computers (RISC), general-purpose (CISC) processors,microprocessors, gate arrays (e.g., FPGAs), PLDs, reconfigurable computefabrics (RCFs), array processors, secure microprocessors, andapplication-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Such digitalprocessors may be contained on a single unitary IC die, or distributedacross multiple components. Additionally, the processing subsystem alsomay comprise a cache to facilitate processing operations.

In the illustrated embodiment, the processing subsystem additionallycomprises functional subsystems or modules for: (i) scheduling operationfor a coordinated set of base stations, (ii) exchanging scheduleinformation with other coordinated base stations, and (iii) distributingscheduling information to mobile devices. These subsystems may beimplemented in software, firmware and/or hardware, and are logicallyand/or physically coupled to the processing subsystem. As used herein,the terms “software” and “computer program” are meant to include anysequence or human or machine cognizable steps which perform a function.Such program may be rendered in virtually any programming language orenvironment. Furthermore, it is appreciated that not all participants ina bundled acknowledgment operation require each subsystem or module. Forexample, a limited capabilities base station (for example, a femtocell,etc.) may not have a scheduling subsystem. The limited capability basestation may only function as a supplemental base station of acoordinated set.

In one embodiment, the scheduling subsystem comprises a database ormemory structure localized within the apparatus 1100 adapted to storeone or more bundle schedules. In one variant, the scheduling subsystemadditionally comprises a memory, and or processing device for runningoptimization engine software. Moreover, the optimization engine mayinclude for example monitoring apparatus for network activity, or memoryapparatus adapted to store knowledge of the network activity. It will beappreciated that the input scheduling parameters may change on a regularor irregular basis; thus, the optimization engine may be runcontinuously, or in response to corresponding changes or events, asdesired.

In one embodiment, the base station communication subsystem may compriseone or more interfaces 1109 to a centralized base station, and or othersupplemental base stations, adapted for receiving and transmittingmessages pertaining to one or more scheduling parameters. As shown, thebase station 1100 comprises an intra-base station interface 1109. Theinterface may be either wired or wireless, and generally comprises asecure interface to one or more other base stations. In one exemplaryimplementation, the intra-base station communication is based on an X2type LTE eNB base station interface of the type well known in thecellular arts. In another implementation, the intra-base stationinterface is a re-purposed connection, or general purpose connectionsuch as may be useful with femtocells, and/or access points (e.g., abroadband DSL, cable, T1, ISDN, microwave link, etc.).

The mobile device communication subsystem includes in one embodimentapparatus for transmitting and receiving messages from a mobile device.The apparatus 1100 shown in FIG. 11 comprises a modem circuit configuredto provide bundled acknowledgment operation to a wireless mobile device,and transmit data packets, in accordance with a coordinated schedule.The modem subsystem comprises a digital baseband, analog baseband, andRF components for RX and TX. While multiple subsystems are illustrated,it is appreciated that all or portions of the modem subsystem may beconsolidated consistent with the invention.

The processing subsystem 1105 is preferably connected to a memorysubsystem 1107. As used herein, the term “memory” includes any type ofintegrated circuit or other storage device adapted for storing digitaldata including, without limitation, ROM, PROM, EEPROM, DRAM, SDRAM,DDR/2 SDRAM, EDO/FPMS, RLDRAM, SRAM, “flash” memory (e.g., NAND/NOR),and PSRAM. The memory subsystem of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11comprises a direct memory access (DMA), operational random access memory(RAM), and non-volatile memory.

Exemplary Mobile Apparatus

Referring now to FIG. 12, one embodiment of a client apparatus 1200implementing the present invention is illustrated. The configuration of“bundled acknowledgment” operation as previously described herein ispreferably performed in software, although firmware and or hardwareembodiments are also envisioned.

The exemplary client apparatus 1200 of FIG. 12 comprises a mobile devicehaving a processor subsystem 1205 such as a digital signal processor,microprocessor, field-programmable gate array, or plurality ofprocessing components mounted on one or more substrates 1208. Theprocessing subsystem may also comprise an internal cache memory. Theprocessing subsystem 1205 is connected to a memory subsystem 1207comprising memory which may for example, comprise SRAM, flash and SDRAMcomponents. The memory subsystem may implement one or a more of DMA typehardware, so as to facilitate data accesses as is well known in the art.

In the illustrated embodiment, the processing subsystem additionallycomprises subsystems or modules for: (i) receiving multiple datapackets, (ii) performing one or more decoding operations, and (iii)returning an acknowledgement. These subsystems may be implemented insoftware or hardware which is coupled to the processing subsystem.Alternatively, in another variant, the subsystems may be directlycoupled to the digital baseband. The illustrated embodiment logically orphysically couples the data packet buffering subsystem, the softcombining subsystem, and the acknowledgement subsystem, although otherarchitectures may be used consistent with the invention.

In one exemplary embodiment, the mobile device decodes a message fromthe serving base station, the message instructing the mobile device toset or change its bundled acknowledgement modes via a schedule message.Thus, the bundled acknowledgment mode subsystem or module mayadditionally include a memory for retrieving bundled acknowledgment modeconfigurations that are pre-stored. Alternatively (or additionally), thebundled acknowledgment mode reception subsystem may include an interfacefor receiving, and responding to bundled acknowledgment modeindications, which are directly messaged to the UE.

The bundled acknowledgment mode determination subsystem includes, in onepossible configuration, one or more processing elements (e.g., amicroprocessor, microcontroller, digital baseband, etc.) adapted toprovide bundled acknowledgment criteria such as applicationrequirements, processor capabilities, power consumption, supported modemoptions, etc. In yet other configurations, the bundled acknowledgementmode subsystem includes one or more apparatus (e.g., radio interface,etc.) suited for exchanging and negotiating one or more bundledacknowledgment parameters with the network.

The modem configuration subsystem may also include an internal schedule(e.g., a lookup table, memory structure, etc.) identifying times andfrequency bands for discontinuous reception (DRX). In alternateembodiments, the modem configuration subsystem 1205 may comprise one ormore internal programs adapted to request adjustment to bundled modeoperation (e.g., requests for limiting bundled acknowledgment operationto a subset of physical resources, swapping out or adding resources,etc.).

The radio/modem subsystem includes a digital baseband 1204, analogbaseband 1203, TX frontend 1202 and RX frontend 1201. The apparatus 1200further comprises an antenna assembly with a selection device; theselection component may comprise for example a plurality of switches forenabling various antenna operational modes, such as for specificfrequency ranges, or specified time slots.

While specific architecture is discussed, in some embodiments, somecomponents may be obviated or may otherwise be merged with one another(such as RF RX, RF TX and ABB combined, as of the type used for 3Gdigital RFs) as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the artgiven the present disclosure.

The illustrated power management subsystem (PMS) 1206 provides power tothe UE, and may comprise an integrated circuit and or a plurality ofdiscrete electrical components. In one exemplary portable UE apparatus,the power management subsystem 1206 advantageously interfaces with abattery.

The user interface system 1210 may include any number of well-known I/Oincluding, without limitation: a keypad, touch screen, LCD display,backlight, speaker, and microphone. However, it is recognized that incertain applications, one or more of these components may be obviated.For example, PCMCIA card type UE embodiments may lack a user interface(as they could piggyback onto the user interface of the device to whichthey are physically and or electrically coupled).

The apparatus 1200 further comprises optional additional peripherals1209 including, without limitation, one or more GPS transceivers, ornetwork interfaces such as IrDA ports, Bluetooth transceivers, USB,Firewire, etc. It is however recognized that these components are notnecessarily required for operation of the UE in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention.

Exemplary LTE Bundled HARQ Operation

Several exemplary LTE Bundled HARQ implementations illustrating one ormore aspects of the invention are now described. FIG. 13 represents afirst exemplary LTE network comprising a plurality of base stations 1100including a first “serving” eNB 1100A, and a second and third“supplemental” eNBs (1100B, 1100C). The term “serving” base station asused in the present context describes a base station which is in chargeof the radio connection to the user equipment (UE). Correspondingly, theterm “supplemental” base station as used in the present contextdescribes a base station which is not controlling or “in charge” of theradio connection to the user equipment (UE). Accordingly, in thefollowing discussion, the “coordinated set” comprises both the servingbase station, and its companion supplemental base stations. In oneexemplary embodiment, the coordinated set comprises a CoMP (CoordinatedMultipoint Transmission/Reception) coordinated set, although otherconfigurations may be used with equal success.

The following discussion describes in greater detail various embodimentsof the present invention, useful for reducing interference between thecoordinated set, while also minimizing HARQ transmission delay. Thebundling of HARQ processes between the coordinated cells in the downlinkdirection is referred to hereinafter as “HARQ bundling”.

In one such embodiment, the serving eNB 1100A within a CoMP coordinatedset selectively applies HARQ bundling as described herein fortransmission of control and user data, based at least in part on one ormore measurements provided by the UE 1200 (e.g., CQI measurements forthe CoMP coordinated set), and/or the known traffic (i.e., existingservices) of the CoMP cells. Such measurements may also include forexample: (i) a number of erroneous received data blocks, (ii) thedownlink interference (e.g., BER), and/or (iii) HARQ transmission delaysabove a minimum threshold.

The HARQ bundling operation may also be enabled or disabled by theserving eNodeB 1100A through its Physical Downlink Control Channel 1302A(PDCCH). In one exemplary variant, the HARQ bundling operation isenabled and or disabled by predefined messages sent on the PDCCH (e.g.“00000000”, “11111111”, etc.). In another variant, the HARQ bundlingoperation is enabled or disabled with a configurable parameter. Forexample, responsive to receiving the HARQ bundling message (enable) insubframe #i, the UE begins HARQ bundling operation in subframe #i+N,where N is a configurable parameter set by the serving eNB. Similarly,if HARQ bundling is disabled by a predefined message on the PDCCH insubframe #i, the UE disables HARQ bundling in subframe #i+M, in which Mis a configurable parameter set by the serving eNB. In an alternatevariant, the HARQ bundling operation is enabled or disabled with one ormore fixed parameters.

In another embodiment of the invention, a set of L consecutive downlinksubframes is bundled, where the number L is selected by the serving eNB1100A. In one such variant, HARQ bundling applies to all downlinktransmissions using the Physical Downlink Shared Channel 1304 (PDSCH).In alternate variants, HARQ bundling applies only to a subset of thedownlink transmissions using the PDSCH. The set of L consecutivedownlink subframes can be assigned symmetrically to ones of thecoordinated set, or alternatively asymmetrically to ones of thecoordinated set (e.g., to accentuate the contributions from one or moremembers). For example, a BS which has particularly good reception maytransmit half of the downlink subframes, whereas a marginal BS may onlytransmit a quarter of the downlink subframes. In another example, a BSwhich is particularly lightly loaded may transmit many more subframes,thereby reducing the support burden on other heavily loaded BSs.

In one implementation, a serving cell 1100A transmits a first data block1306A, and supplemental cells transmit supplemental versions (1306B,1306C) of the first data block having different redundancy versions. Thesupplemental cells sequence of re-transmissions and redundancy versionsare determined by the serving eNB. Alternatively, the supplementalcell's sequence of re-transmissions and redundancy versions aredetermined by a radio access network entity. The serving base stationcoordinates the action of the coordinated set, using a dedicatedsignaling interface to the supplemental base stations.

One or more members of the coordinated set may transmit the data blockswith a reduction in transmit power, where the reduction in transmitpower is augmented with supplemental data block transmissions from otherone or more members of the coordinated set. In one variant, the one ormore members of the coordinated set identifies a number of supplementalcells. Each base station of the coordinated set can decrease itstransmission power. The amount of decreased transmission power may bebased on: the number of other base stations included in the coordinatedset, the base station's expected received signal strength at the UE, thebase station's expected interference with other UEs, etc. In someimplementations, the calculation of appropriate reduction in transmitpower for each base station of the coordinated set is performed at theserving base station.

The serving base station 1100A coordinates the actions of the userequipment 1200 (UE) using for example the PDCCH 1302A. The serving eNBsignals one or more of the following parameters to the UE: (i) size ofHARQ bundling (e.g., number of L consecutive downlink subframes thatwill be bundled), (ii) the identity of the supplemental cells which areinvolved in HARQ bundling operation, and/or (iii) the transmissionsequence of the supplemental cells which are involved in HARQ bundlingoperation.

The following specific parameters are signaled in each of thesupplemental cells to the UE through PDCCH (1302B, 1302C): (i) there-transmitted information data block, and (ii) the redundancy versionof the re-transmitted data.

In one variant, the following specific parameters are signaled from theserving eNB 1100A to one or more of the supplemental eNodeBs (1100B,1100C) through the X2 interface: (i) the size of HARQ bundling (e.g.,number of L consecutive downlink subframes that will be bundled), (ii)the identity of the supplemental cells participating in HARQ bundlingoperation, (iii) the transmission sequence of the supplemental cellsparticipating in HARQ bundling operation, (iv) the initial radio frameand subframe number for enabling/disabling HARQ bundling operation, (v)the data block to be transmitted/re-transmitted, (vi) redundancyversions to be used for the re-transmitted data, (vii) transmit powerlevels to be used for the re-transmitted data, and/or (viii) the HARQprocess number.

Responsive to receiving a plurality of transmissions andre-transmissions, the UE 1200 soft-combines and jointly decodes thereceived data. In one variant, the bundled HARQ ACK 1308 is sent inresponse to the subframe in which the received data was successfullydecoded. In another variant, the bundled HARQ ACK is sent in a scheduledsubframe, regardless of successful decoding of data. Alternatively, aHARQ NACK may be sent only in response to the last subframe of thebundle, and when soft-combining and joint decoding of all bundledsubframes was not successful.

It is noted that the same HARQ process number may be used in each of thebundled subframes if desired. Moreover, the re-transmission of a HARQbundle may also be a HARQ bundle. In other implementations, there-transmission of a HARQ bundle is not a bundle (i.e., is onlytransmitted from a single base station).

The following example scenario is presented to further illustrate LTEHARQ bundling operations according to various embodiments of theinvention.

The LTE-Advanced network uses OFDMA/TDMA in the downlink direction, andSC-FDMA/TDMA in the uplink direction. The RAN is operating in FrequencyDivision Duplex (FDD) mode. Moreover, the coordinated set is operatingCoMP in the downlink. As previously mentioned, the CoMP coordinated setcomprises three (3) collaborative (serving and supplemental) eNBs 1100.A UE 1200 is in the coverage of 3 cells (cell 1 to cell 3), each cellserved by its associated eNodeB (eNB 1 1100A, eNB2 1100B, eNB3 1100C).In order to control inter-cell interference the coordinated cellsoperate according to a coordinated schedule; i.e., at a time instant UEreceives data from only one of the transmitting cells/eNodeBs.

The coordinated set is servicing a first UE 1200. Within the set of 3coordinated cells, cell 1 1100A is the current serving cell, whereascell 2 1100B and cell 3 1100C are supplemental cells. At initial radioconnection establishment, the serving eNB1 signals to the UE parametersrelated to bundled HARQ operation. The serving eNB1 sets M=N=4; thus, ifthe UE receives a HARQ bundling HARQ activation order at subframe #i,the UE will enable HARQ bundling operation in subframe #i+4 (i.e., M=4).

Further, if the UE receives a HARQ bundling HARQ deactivation order atsubframe #i, the UE will disable HARQ bundling in subframe #i+4 (N=4).

Similarly, the eNB1 identifies PDCCH messages for enabling and disablingHARQ bundling. HARQ bundling operations can be enabled by the predefinedmessage “00000000”, or disabled by the predefined message “11111111”sent on the PDCCH, although it will be readily appreciated that theseparameters may be varied, and similarly may be broadcast/multicast(versus point-to-point transmission), or pre-defined within a standard,etc.

Once the first eNB has communicated the necessary parameters to thesecond and third eNB, and the first UE, operation proceeds normally.Responsive to receiving the parameters, each of the involved entitiesinitializes its appropriate apparatus. The serving base station monitorsthe Radio Access Network (RAN).

During high traffic loads in the CoMP cells, the downlink interferenceincreases significantly. The serving eNB1 receives corresponding CQImeasurements provided by UE, and monitors increases in HARQ transmissiondelay (i.e., due to increased number of re-transmissions). At a triggerthreshold or other event of interest, the serving eNB1 decides to applyHARQ bundling. Based on UE measurements (e.g., nearby cell IDs, CQI,etc.), the serving eNB1 identifies a bundle size, the appropriatemembers of the coordinated set, and a transmission order.

In this example, the UE 1200 may have strong signals from eNB2 1100B,and eNB3 1100C, other nearby cells may be active, but too weak foroperation. Moreover, eNB2 1100B has a higher quality signal than eNB31100C. Thus, the serving eNB1 1100A identifies: (i) the bundle size L=3(i.e., corresponding to eNB1, eNB2, eNB3), (ii) the appropriate membersof the set (eNB1, eNB2, eNB3), and (iii) the transmission order (inorder of highest CQI to lowest CQI). Moreover, the serving eNB1determines the time instant at which HARQ bundling mode operation shallbe started (radio frame/subframe number). Additionally, the serving eNB1 identifies appropriate transmit power levels and redundancy versionsto be used by the supplemental cells. These parameters (and theinformation block to be transmitted and or re-transmitted) are signaledto the supplemental eNBs (eNB2, eNB3) through the X2 interface.

Referring back to FIG. 13, the serving eNB1 1100A transmits in subframe#i−4 the PDCCH 1302A message to enable HARQ bundling operation insubframe #i,

The following parameters are signaled to the UE at subframe #i in thePDCCH 1302A: (i) bundle size (L=3), (ii) the appropriate members of theset (eNB1 1100A, eNB2 1100B, eNB3 1100C), and (iii) the transmissionorder (eNB1, eNB2, eNB3). Following the PDCCH 1302A, in the PDSCH 1304of subframe #i, the serving eNB1 transmits the first initial data block1306A (first redundancy version) at reduced power.

At subframe #i+1, the second supplemental eNB2 1100B transmits its PDCCH1302B, PDSCH 1304 to the UE 1200. The PDCCH 1302B indicates the secondredundancy version of the re-transmitted data block #1 130613. The PDSCH1304 is transmitted at reduced power, the transmission containing thesecond redundancy version of the re-transmitted information data block#1 1306B.

Similarly, at subframe #i+2, the third supplemental eNB3 1100C transmitsits PDCCH 1302C, PDSCH 1304 to the UE 1200. The PDCCH 1302C indicatesthe third redundancy version of the re-transmitted data block #1 1306C.The PDSCH 1304 is transmitted at reduced power, and contains the thirdredundancy version of the re-transmitted information data block #11306C. The first 1306A, second 1306B and third 1306C data packets areuniquely identified at the UE by their shared HARQ process ID.

For purposes of this example, assume that the data sent on the aggregatePDSCH could be successfully decoded in the receiver at UE after subframe#i+1; i.e., after soft-combining and joint decoding of the received datain subframe #i and #i+1. The UE sends a HARQ ACK in subframe #i+5 onPUCCH 1308 (a HARQ ACK in response to the successfully decoded data insubframe #i+1). The data of the third supplemental eNB3 is discarded.

Alternatively, assume that the data sent on the aggregate PDSCH couldnot be successfully decoded in the receiver at the UE even aftersubframe #i+2; i.e., after soft-combining and joint decoding of thereceived data in subframe #i, #i+1, and #i+2. The UE sends a HARQ NACKin subframe #i+6 on PUCCH. The serving base station notifies each of thecoordinated set, and the next re-transmission occurs in subframe #i+9,#i+10, #i+11.

In the foregoing scenario the transmit power of the first, second andthird base stations may be reduced. Accordingly, the base stationinduced interference is substantially reduced both among the coordinatedset, as well as among the nearby base stations not included in thecoordinated set. Such reduced transmit power has substantial positiveimpact on the spectral resources of the radio access network.

Furthermore, the UE has received and soft-combined three (3) distinctdata packets, each with a different redundancy, by subframe #i+2. Incontrast, normal HARQ operation would provide: (i) an initialtransmission at subframe #i, (ii) a first acknowledgment at subframe#i+4, (iii) a first re-transmission at subframe #i+8, (iv) a secondacknowledgment at subframe #i+12, (v) a second re-transmission atsubframe #i+16, and (vi) a final acknowledgment at subframe #i+16. Itshould be noted that even a first re-transmission of the prior art HARQoperation is longer than the exemplary HARQ bundling process of thepresent invention. Accordingly, the bundling process provides superioreconomy in both the temporal and resource domains.

Moreover, the UE only retains and processes a single HARQ process forthe coordinated set of base stations. Recall that in prior art CoMPimplementations, HARQ processes are distinct and independent among eachof the base stations. In contrast, the UE enabled with the presentinvention greatly reduces its processing and transceiver burden by interalia use of the foregoing single HARQ process.

Business Methods and Rules Engine

It will be recognized that the foregoing network apparatus andmethodologies may be readily adapted to various business models. Variousaspects of the present invention substantially improve both quality andefficiency of service, and service coverage. Thus, in one such businessmodel, a service provider or network operator may provide anenhanced-coverage service afforded by such “communal” base stationoperation (such as that described previously herein) to customerswilling to pay a premium, or as an incentive for its higher-tiercustomers.

In another paradigm, certain strategic users could be selected toreceive such enhanced-coverage service (or base station; e.g.,femtocell) based on, inter alia, their subscription level, rate ofusage, geographic location, etc.

The aforementioned network apparatus and methodologies may also bereadily adapted for operation in accordance with an underlying businessrules “engine”. This business rules engine may comprise for example asoftware application and/or hardware, and is implemented in oneembodiment as a separate entity at the Core Network, or alternativelywithin an existing entity residing at the Core Network or other networkmanagement process (including the EPC(s)). The engine may also beintegrated or coordinated with the optimization engine previouslydescribed herein if desired. Hence, the business rules engine may becentralized, localized, or distributed (i.e., among multiple differentplatforms) in nature, depending on the desired operational attributes.

In one embodiment, the business rules engine takes into account therevenue and or profit implications associated with providing resourcesto one or more subscribers so that the resource allocation to itsserving coordinated set of base stations does not negatively impactnetwork user experience (e.g., slowing downloads, latency in call orsession setup, negatively impacting QoS-based services, etc.), or theservices that are able to be provided to users on the network via thegeographically fixed base stations. Accordingly, the exemplary businessrules engine of the present invention can modify the behavior of thesystem at specific steps described in the methodologies above in orderto accomplish one or more economic or operational objectives for thenetwork operator.

For instance, evaluation of the request from a subscriber for bundledacknowledgement may include an analysis of the incremental cost,revenue, and or profit associated with the various allocation options(allocation of resources to the requesting subscriber, or denial of therequest and allocation of the resources to another subscriber orsubscribers). These “business rules” may be imposed for example at timeof resource request, and then maintained for a period of time (or untilan event triggering a re-evaluation occurs), or alternatively accordingto a periodic or even randomized or statistical model.

As yet another alternative, the base station may be equipped with logic(e.g., a business rules engine or component thereof, such as a clientportion of a distributed software application) that is configured toanalyze and make business or operational decisions relating to thebusiness model between the client device (e.g., UE) and the basestation. For instance, the base station may preferentially process orallocate resources to certain requesting users based on their status(e.g., as existing subscribers of the service provider associated withthe Core Network, the type of service requested and revenue/profitimplications associated therewith, etc.)

Myriad different schemes for implementing dynamic allocation ofresources will be recognized by those of ordinary skill given thepresent disclosure.

It will be recognized that while certain aspects of the invention aredescribed in terms of a specific sequence of steps of a method, thesedescriptions are only illustrative of the broader methods of theinvention, and may be modified as required by the particularapplication. Certain steps may be rendered unnecessary or optional undercertain circumstances. Additionally, certain steps or functionality maybe added to the disclosed embodiments, or the order of performance oftwo or more steps permuted. All such variations are considered to beencompassed within the invention disclosed and claimed herein.

While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointedout novel features of the invention as applied to various embodiments,it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changesin the form and details of the device or process illustrated may be madeby those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Theforegoing description is of the best mode presently contemplated ofcarrying out the invention. This description is in no way meant to belimiting, but rather should be taken as illustrative of the generalprinciples of the invention. The scope of the invention should bedetermined with reference to the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of optimizing inter-cell operationwithin a multi-cell wireless network, comprising: transmitting a firstone or more data packets from a first cell; and selectively schedulingat least one other cell for transmission of subsequent error correctiondata packets associated with but distinct from the first one or moredata packets, the subsequent error correction data packets comprisingredundant information useful for correction of the first one or moredata packets; wherein the first one or more data packets and thesubsequent error correction data packets are configured to enable softcombination and reduced transmission power; wherein the method furthercomprises: responsive to receiving the first one or more data packetsand the subsequent error correction data packets at a first receiver:decoding the first one or more data packets and subsequent errorcorrection data packets in combination; and transmitting a message tothe first cell, where the message indicates success or failure of thedecoding; when the message indicates success of the decoding:transmitting a second one or more data packets from the first cell;selectively scheduling at least one other cell for the transmission ofsubsequent error correction data packets, the subsequent errorcorrection data packets comprising redundant information useful forcorrection of the second one or more data packets; and when the messageindicates failure of the decoding: transmitting a second set of errorcorrection data packets from the first cell and at least one other cell,wherein the second set of error correction data packets compriseredundant information useful for correction of the first one or moredata packets.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method furthercomprises determining the reduction in transmission power of the firstcell of the multi-cell wireless network based at least in part on thesubsequent error correction data packets of the at least one other cell.3. Receiver apparatus, comprising: a digital processor; a wirelessinterface in data communication with the digital processor; and astorage apparatus having a storage medium with at least one computerprogram stored thereon, the at least one computer program comprising aplurality of computer executable instructions that when executed by thedigital processor: receive a transmission schedule from a firsttransmitter over the wireless interface; receive a first data packetfrom a first transmitter over the wireless interface; receive a seconderror correction data packet from at least one second transmitter overthe wireless interface; where the first transmitter and the secondtransmitter comprise a first and second distinct cells, respectively;decode the received first data packet in conjunction with the seconderror correction data packet; and transmit an acknowledgement message,wherein the acknowledgment message indicates either a successfuldecoding or an unsuccessful decoding; when the acknowledgment messageindicates success of the decoding: receiving a second one or more datapackets from the first transmitter; selectively scheduling at least oneother transmitter for the transmission of subsequent error correctiondata packets, the subsequent error correction data packets comprisingredundant information useful for correction of the second one or moredata packets; and when the acknowledgment message indicates failure ofthe decoding: receiving a second set of error correction data packetsfrom the first transmitter and at least one other transmitter, whereinthe second set of error correction data packets comprise redundantinformation useful for correction of the first data packet.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 3, wherein the acknowledgment message is directed tothe first transmitter.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein theacknowledgment message is directed to the second transmitter.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 3, wherein the first data packet is identified with afirst identifier.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the second errorcorrection data packet is also identified with the first identifier. 8.The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising instructions that whenexecuted by the digital processor, soft combine the first data packetand second error correction data packet.
 9. A method of optimizinginter-cell operation within a multi-cell wireless network, comprising:transmitting a first one or more data packets from a first cell; andselectively scheduling at least one other cell for transmission ofsubsequent error correction data packets, the subsequent errorcorrection data packets comprising redundant information useful forcorrection of the first one or more data packets; responsive toreceiving the first one or more data packets and the subsequent errorcorrection data packets at a first receiver: decoding the first one ormore data packets and subsequent error correction data packets incombination; and transmitting a message to the first cell, where themessage indicates success or failure of the decoding; and when themessage indicates success of the decoding: transmitting a second one ormore data packets from the first cell; selectively scheduling at leastone other cell for the transmission of second subsequent errorcorrection data packets, the second subsequent error correction datapackets comprising redundant information useful for correction of thesecond one or more data packets; and when the message indicates failureof the decoding: transmitting a third set of error correction datapackets from the first cell and at least one other cell, wherein thethird set of error correction data packets comprise redundantinformation useful for correction of the first one or more data packets;and wherein the transmitting and selectively scheduling cooperate tosubstantially reduce a transmission power required for the first cell ofthe multi-cell wireless network.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein themethod further comprises determining the reduction in transmission powerof the first cell of the multi-cell wireless network based at least inpart on the subsequent error correction data packets of the at least oneother cell.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the first one or moredata packets are identified with a first identifier.
 12. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the subsequent error correction data packets are alsoidentified with the first identifier.